Pompeii, a popular cruise ship destination in Naples, gained a lot of attention last week after after archaeologists found skeletons and gold coins inside an ancient shop that was buried during the Mount Vesuvius eruption. The Italian and French archaeologists, working together, discovered four skeletons in the shop being those of young people who perished when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, making it one of the most catastrophic volcanic eruptions in the region. Researchers believe the young people, including an adolescent girl was sent to the back of the shop for safety prior to the eruption. Several objects were found among the scattered bones, including three gold coins and necklaces inside a room that archaeologists believe was used as a shop to make bronze objects. Pompeii officials believe the shop was once robbed by clandestine diggers following the deadly eruption, as they were searching for gold and other treasures under the ashes. Passengers from cruise ships will soon be able to visit the famous archaeological site in Pompeii as workers continue to excavate the area that still contains a layer of ash from Mount Vesuvius.

Lindblad Adds Two Antarctica Sailings

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has announced the addition of two new departures to its Antarctica 2016 season on November 6 and November 16. The company cited the increased demand, and with two ships in the region, National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion, the season is almost sold out. Both departures will be set aboard the 102-guest National Geographic Orion, and will follow the 14-day Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent expedition.

Waldorf Astoria Hotel To Be Gutted, Some 1,100 Rooms Turned Into Condos

China’s Anbang, buyer of the hotel, a New York landmark, is finalizing plans to shut the hotel for up to three years and convert as many as three-quarters of its rooms into private apartments. Anbang Insurance Group Co.’s restoration plan calls for closing down the 1,413-room property in the spring, removing as many as 1,100 hotel rooms and eliminating hundreds of hotel jobs, the people said. When the Waldorf reopens, the hotel will feature between 300 and 500 guest rooms upgraded to luxury standards, the people said. The remaining units will be sold as condominiums. The new owners and Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., which will continue to manage the property when it reopens.

California’s Tallest Open-Air Observation Deck Opens To The Public

The all-new OUE Skyspace LA is California’s tallest open-air observation deck at almost 1,000 feet above downtown Los Angeles, and the premiere destination for 360-degree views of the city, stretching from the Hollywood Hills to the Pacific Ocean. The OUE Skyspace LA experience includes a variety of interactive visitor touch points on floors 2, 54, 69 and 70. Besides taking in the spectacular panoramas from the two-story observation deck on the upper floors, visitors can view the city like never before on the thrilling Skyslide attraction. Made entirely of clear glass, 1 ¼ inches thick, the Skyslide is a first-of-its-kind outdoor glass slide affixed to the exterior of U.S. Bank Tower, extending 45 feet long from floor 70 to floor 69, offering visitors a truly unparalleled experience. OUE Skyspace LA opens to the public on Saturday, 25 June 2016.

Port of Beijing Sinking 11cm Each Year From Excessive Wells keep

The port is sinking at 11cm per year as a result of excessive pumping of wells to groundwater, experts say after using satellite imagery of China’s capital. The Port of Beijing is a popular destination for cruise ship tourists, but its central business district has become an environmental threat because of growth and the excessive need to exploit underground water, which is expected to affect at least 50 cities in the country. While 11cm sounds small, that translates to 4 inches. This means the city is sinking further into the ground at a rate of 4 inches per year. Researchers conclude that Beijing sits on extensive natural reservoirs of water that are quickly becoming dry through human use and it’s continued method is posing a serious threat to the city’s infrastructure, especially it’s high-speed railway that passengers use to travel from city to city in China. Researchers say that tens of thousands of wells exist around the city that are used for agriculture and landscaping purposes, but the state has the authority over the installation of wells even though they are not enforced.

Miami-Dade County To Build World-Class Cruise Terminal

Royal Caribbean Cruises today announced an agreement with Miami-Dade County to construct and operate a dramatic new cruise terminal at PortMiami, on land leased from the County. The new terminal will be a striking addition to PortMiami and will serve as homeport to Royal Caribbean International ships, including a 5,400-passenger Oasis-class ship, the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ships.

Shrinking Pool of Future Pilots Keeps Major Airlines On Edge

Bloomberg reports that after coping with terrorism, bankruptcies and consolidation, the largest U.S. airlines are facing a new problem: They may start running out of pilots in as soon as three years. That looming pilot deficit will soar to 15,000 by 2026, according to a study by the University of North Dakota’s Aviation Department, as more captains reach the mandatory retirement age of 65 and fewer young people choose commercial aviation as a profession. And that’s in an industry where captains on the biggest international jets average more than $200,000 a year , with some pushing $300,000. Airlines are responding by changing hiring requirements, boosting signing bonuses at regional carriers they own and partnering with flight schools and university aviation programs. The top three reasons would-be pilots are changing their career plans are the cost of flight training and certification, low pay at regional carriers and a 2013 regulatory change that mandated a sixfold increase in flight hours required to become a first officer.